If Jack Midson wants a new contract at AFC Wimbledon he will have to earn it according to boss Neal Ardley.

Fans' favourite Midson signalled last week his desire to stay with the Dons after his current deal expires at the end of the season, having got back in favour at Kingsmeadow in recent games.

However, it seems boss Ardley is in no hurry to race to the negotiating table for Midson – or anyone else for the matter.

Instead he called on everyone at the club to make preserving the club’s Division Two status their top priority.

He said: “I won’t be looking at anyone’s contract. I won’t know until the back end of the season what we have got budget-wise as we have to see what we spend this season.

“First and foremost in this league we have got to get to 54 points very quickly, then assess the squad and how we move it forward.

“We have got other players on year contracts so we are not going to be looking to do anything else at the moment. Let them all play hard for the team until the end of the season - that’s really what happens in the lower leagues."

Vital: Jack Midson scored the goal that kept the Dons in League Two last season

Ardley restated his commitment to bolster the squad in the current transfer window in a bid to achieve his aim, but stressed the reluctance of managers higher up the food chain to release players on loan was hindering his search.

He added: “We are looking for loads of players but the no 1 problem is getting players we can afford.

“Then secondly, whenever you ask about loan players the first question you get is ‘is he going to play and by that they mean they want them to go straight into the team or they are not willing to let them go on loan.

“The way Harry (Pell), Sammy (Moore) and Mooro (Luke Moore) were playing last week (at Wycombe) you think I can’t guarantee that at the moment, so you can’t jump straight in.

“But we are looking to strengthen and we will bring in a body or two there is no doubt about that."